Beauty is not just on the outside...

[Aly Everall]

In our society, children feel they need to look a certain way to fit in. In my opinion, that's heartbreaking. Anybody, no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual preference, income are beautiful. People, especially children need to understand that its okay to be who you are. They shouldn't have to hide, or cover up their faces with makeup to look beautiful. Boys shouldn't feel obligated to play football or hockey to look "cool". The biggest factor which influences if your "popular" or not is appearance, more specifically, weight. 

I've never been the skinniest person ever, which always made me feel insecure going through middle school. My bestfriend in grade 8 was skinny, and I constantly felt "fat" and that I wanted to look like that. I ended up becoming anorexic as well as bulimic. I wanted to be skinny like her. I went 6 months starving myself, then working out, or binge-eating then throwing up whatever I chose to eat that day. Of course I lost weight, I was skinny. Then I looked in the mirror and realized, this isn't who I am. I should be happy with what I look like. I eventually stopped my eating disorders and became happier. I'm pleased to say that I am advocating acceptance no matter what, because I personally went through the struggles young girls as well as boys are facing.

In the wise words of Nelson Mandela, "there is no passion to be found in settling for a life less than the one you are capable of living".

[Paul Murphy]